Mar 8, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Zach Walters (60) celebrates with teammate Jhonatan Solano (23) after hitting a two run homerun scoring Chris Marrero (not pictured) during the bottom of the ninth inning of a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers Erik Davis, Ryan Perry and Yunesky Maya, infielder Chris Marrero, catcher Jhonatan Solano and outfielder Corey Brown were all sent to Syracuse. Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and infielder Zach Walters, both not on the 40-man roster, were sent to minor league camp.

Later in the day it was reported that Chris Snyder was granted his release and he went on to sign a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

It was a good camp for Maya, Marrero and Walters in particular who showed that they can provide depth for the organization. For Marrero, he showed he is on his way back to being the player he was when he was the top prospect in the organization.

There are now 34 players in camp, and not many questions remain. Of the players not expected to be on the Opening Day roster only Christian Garcia, Cole Kimball and Carlos Rivero remain from the 40-man roster. Non-roster invitees that remain include Chris Young, Fernando Abad, Jeremy Accardo, Carlos Maldonado and Micah Owings. (Note that, at least by my calculations, the 33 men in camp also includes Roger

For the non-roster invitees, it is a chance to secure a job for Opening Day even if it isn’t with the Major League club.

The Nationals are going with a lineup full of regulars today against the Detroit Tigers, and with regulars expecting to play nine innings soon, the need for multiple backups is no longer present.

Mar 8, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Nathan Karns (57) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the top of the fifth inning of a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Rendon will be starting the season in AA Harrisburg, and that is not a surprise. He will probably be up to Syracuse by the summer.

For the others, their future may be in Washington but they were not on the doorstep of this year’s team and the team needed to make room to start playing regulars more often to get ready for the season. The Nationals brass said they wanted to lower the number of position players in major league camp, especially as the regulars will play more games and more innings in those games as they get set for the season.

Joining Rendon in AA Harrisburg is Leon and Karns.

Perez was optioned to AAA Syracuse.

Skole, McCoy and Rhymes were sent to minor league camp as they are not on the 40-man roster and were invitees to big league camp.

The moves leave 42 players in major league camp for the Nationals.

February 15, 2013; Viera, FL, USA; A general view of Washington Nationals players reflected in a puddle of water during spring training at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Rotation
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Dan Haren
Ross Detwiler

This is understandably the easiest part of the prediction besides the first 10 position players. I’m not a genius if I nail this one.

Bullpen
Rafael Soriano
Drew Storen
Tyler Clippard
Ryan Mattheus
Craig Stammen
Zach Duke
Henry Rodriguez

This was a tough group to put together after Stammen. I really like Zach Duke and think that he may be the best left-hander in camp. If they choose to have him stretch out as a starter in AAA, then his role can be filled by Will Ohman or Bill Bray (whichever is better in camp). Rodriguez is on the bubble. If anyone else impresses in camp, he may be the odd-man out.

Starting Lineup
C- Kurt Suzuki
1B- Adam LaRoche
2B- Danny Espinosa
SS- Ian Desmond
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
LF- Bryce Harper
CF- Denard Span
RF- Jayson Werth

Do I really need to explain?

Bench
Wilson Ramos (C)
Steve Lombardozzi (UT)
Roger Bernadina (OF)
Tyler Moore (1B/OF)
Chad Tracy (PH/IF)

I was thinking of going off of the board and putting someone like Micah Owings or Will Rhymes on the bench, but I don’t see them unseating Moore, Tracy or Lombardozzi. Same thing with Chris Snyder assuming Ramos is healthy enough to break camp with the team.

Chris Marrero is said to be having a great spring so far both in games and in the cage, but as of now, I don’t see who he would replace should everyone remain healthy.

I will do this a couple of more times throughout Spring Training. One about half-way through and another closer to the end of Spring Training.

What do you think? Who can surprise and sneak their way onto the roster?